During tough times the number of people in need of a little help getting by grows, so it is with those members of the community in mind the Granville Baptist Church plans for its annual rummage giveaway.
Although the annual giveaway has taken place for many years, Rev. Jim Peterson said with the state of the economy and high unemployment numbers locally he expects to see more people taking advantage of the event Dec. 3.
“Yes, each year we’ve had a large crowd come for things and I would expect that this year there would be even more,” he said.
To have items to give, the church is first looking for donors to come forward.
The congregation is looking for anything from gently used toys and items that might be appropriate as Christmas gifts to household items and season-appropriate clothing for the upcoming event.
“We’d like winter clothes for men and women and children, outer clothes as well as sweaters and warm pants and other seasonal clothing items,” he said. Peterson said the church would also like to see Christmas decorations to help others make their holidays a little brighter.
Things the congregation is not looking for are summer clothing or furniture. “There’s no storage space and lots of people who want to use the space, so we need that area clear,” he said. The area in the back of the Baptist church will be filled to capacity as the donations begin to, hopefully, roll in so space is at a premium.
Peterson said he’d ideally like to see the items dropped off at the church between Nov. 28 and Dec. 2 when there will be volunteers available to take it all in between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. at the back of the church.
“Or call to make other arrangements,” Peterson said.
“In the past the whole community has been a very generous in donating things; this event has become an area-wide activity with people from many churches donating items and volunteering to help,” Peterson said.
Anyone looking for volunteer to help out can call Peterson.
The giveaway will be Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Granville Baptist Church at 23 Quaker St. Items at the rummage giveaway are free to those in need. Parking is available in the lot behind the church, follow the ramp up to the fellowship hall. For more information call Peterson at 642-2245.